THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2829

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there are many immigrants who seek to continue their legal residence or otherwise may be unaware of their rights and legal status in the country.

     The legislature further finds that Hawaii has always embraced a welcoming attitude for people of all backgrounds, nationalities, and ethnicities.  According to the 2017 American Immigration Council Fact Sheet, nearly eighteen per cent of Hawaii residents are immigrants, while more than one in seven residents is a native-born United States citizen with at least one immigrant parent.  Immigrants are an integral part of Hawaii's diverse, multicultural community and make extensive contributions to the State.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the judiciary to contract out to provide legal assistance and legal counsel to immigrants in determining legal status and citizenship, provide diversion to existing services, and otherwise provide counsel for existing rights.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $150,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to the judiciary to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide legal assistance and legal counsel to immigrants in determining legal status and citizenship, provide diversion to existing services, and otherwise provide counsel for existing rights.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the judiciary for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.


 


 

Report Title:

Immigration Proceedings; Legal Counsel; Judiciary; Appropriation

 

Description:

Makes an appropriation to the judiciary to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide legal assistance and legal counsel to immigrants in determining legal status and citizenship, provide diversion to existing services, and otherwise provide counsel for existing rights.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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